Welcome

Explore Kingston’s Lock Area October 19th

Saturday, October 19th at 2 PM join Robert von Zumbusch, president of the Kingston Historical Society and Charlie Dieterich, Society secretary and archivist on an easy stroll focusing on the Kingston Lock area, buildings, structures, and how they worked together. Starting and ending at the Kingston Locktender’s House, just off Route 27.

Participants will walk on the D & R Canal towpath and other paths that are flat, but may be muddy, so appropriate footwear is advised. There will also be an opportunity to see the canal exhibits and a demonstration of models of the lock and original A-Frame bridge in the Locktender’s House. More details on our EVENT PAGE (LINK)

Map of Kingston and Canal Area with Lock-Tender’s House (arrow)

September’s “Five Canal Houses” open house a big success

Details Here

New Display at the Locktender’s House honors 50 years of the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park and Canal Commission:

A new panel explaining the creation of the State Park and the preservation of the corridor by New Jersey’s D&R Canal Commission has been added to the center room display space.

New Display shows articles, images and maps related to the D&R Canal Commission and State Park

Displays are open Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM.

Continuing Display- “HABS” Drawings

“Kingston’s Lock: History Preserved- Photos and Drawings from 1936 re-interpreted for the 21st Century” Drawings, Photographs and Text documenting the D&R Canal Lock in Kingston, NJ.

The Miter Gate Lock installed on the Delaware and Raritan Canal, photographed in 1936 as part of a WPA Historic American Buildings Survey. The Lock-Tender's house is visible in the background.
Kingston Lock, HABS Photo, 1936

The Lock Tender’s House displays are now open weekends from 10 to 5.

Interested in helping? Learn how to JOIN us, or VOLUNTEER.

Our website includes a list of upcoming EVENTS, information about our HISTORICAL SOCIETY and about KINGSTON NEW JERSEY and recent news in our “TELEGRAPH BLOG“, covering the Historical Society and the Community of Kingston.

Latest Historical Society News (Blog Posts)

(Older posts are available HERE)

Kingston Presbyterian Church 300th year event

Kingston celebrates the 300th Anniversary of the Kingston Presbyterian Church.
Watch the VIDEO of the June 3, 2023 anniversary presentation HERE
Other events listed on their WEBSITE

Kingston Locktender’s House open weekends from April 1st to November 30th.

Want to volunteer to join in the work of the Society?
(CLICK THIS LINK to learn more)

Main Street Kingston descends to the D&R Canal, early 20th century
Swing Bridge on Kingston Main Street (1901)

Table of Contents

From the Telegraph – Recent Blog Topics:

... Looking for an older “Telegraph” Blog Post? Click HERE for a full list.

About the Society

The Kingston Historical Society (KHS) was formed in 1997 as a non-partisan, non-profit organization to preserve, enhance and promote the history of the village of Kingston, New Jersey.

Consider Volunteering! Learn More HERE or become a member (see below.)

KHS Ongoing Activities:

Locktender’s House Open Weekends

The Kingston Locktender’s House is normally open to the public every weekend during warmer weather.

The Locktender’s House will be open on Saturdays, Sundays and major holidays from 10 am to about 5 pm. It closes for the winter on December 1st, but will be open for our annual Holiday Tree Lighting.

Note that the building had no air conditioning and minimal air circulation. Please maintain social distancing. Also, there is no bathroom available in the Locktender’s House. The nearest bathroom is a portajohn in the parking lot across the entrance road, maintained by the State Park. It is sometimes removed during the winter.

To find the Locktender’s House on your mapping software, try this address: 39 Old Lincoln Highway, Princeton, NJ 08540, or GPS: 40°22’25.9″N 74°37’06.7″W Or look for it at the D&R Canal at the foot of the Kingston hill.

View Videos of Earlier Programs

Follow THIS LINK to see a list of recordings from past events.

This Website:

  • Announces upcoming events
  • Preserves reports of Kingston Historical Society activities
  • Archives information about Kingston, New Jersey’s history
  • Provides information about our Society

(Photo: A frame bridge at the Kingston Lock, ~ 1901)

Click here for more of our past events

Members help us survive.

Join or Donate to the Kingston Historical Society
canal barge print

”History is who we are and why we are the way we are..” –David McCullough

We wouldn’t survive without the generous donations and contributions from our donors and patrons. The Kingston Historical Society (KHS) was formed in 1997 as a 501(c)3 non-partisan, non-profit organization to preserve, enhance and promote the history of the village of Kingston. The KHS has its headquarters in the Locktender’s House on the Delaware and Raritan Canal in New Jersey where it maintains the original circa 1830 home of families who operated the Kingston locks on the canal.

Our exhibits, the maintenance of the Locktender’s house, and our programs are produced and managed by volunteers in collaboration with numerous local historians and craftsmen.

Volunteer!